§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ask the Indian authorities to inform them of the outcome of their discussions with 62WA representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the possible services the ICRC could provide in Kashmir, and in particular, whether the ICRC will be allowed to visit places of detention; to help trace missing persons; to deliver medical and humanitarian services direct, rather than via the Indian Red Cross; to monitor compliance by the Indian security forces and the armed opposition groups with common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions; and to open a permanent office in the territory.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyDiscussions be-tween the International Committee of the Red Cross and governments are traditionally confidential. It is for the parties themselves to decide how far to disclose publicly the results of their discussions.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Indian National Human Rights Commission is to investigate the massacre at Sopore in Indian held Kashmir of 6th January 1993, in which an estimated 63 civilians were killed; the burning of the historic Lal Chowk area of Srinagar on 4th April 1993, in which 10 people were killed; the burning to death of seven persons, including a pregnant woman and two infants, in Anantnag on 27th June 1993; and the second massacre of Sopore of 24th November 1993, in which an estimated 46 people were killed.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe Indian National Human Rights Commission have yet to indicate: whether they intend to investigate the incidents referred to by the noble Lord.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What details have been given to them by the Government of India concerning the convictions and sentences of 116 wrongdoers from the Indian security forces in Kashmir, as was notified to them by India in November 1992; and on what occasions since then they have reminded the Indian authorities of their undertaking to give details.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe raise repeatedly with the Indian Government our concerns about human rights abuses in Kashmir. In their 1993–94 Annual Report, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs disclosed details of action taken against 170 security force personnel found guilty of offences in Jammu and Kashmir prior to 31st December 1993. The action includes periods of imprisonment of up to 10 years, dismissal and compulsory retirement, reduction in rank and loss of seniority.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give the names of the persons charged in respect of offences connected with the Bijbehara massacre in Kashmir, the charges preferred against each of them, and the court in which they are to be tried.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe details requested by the noble Lord have not yet been made 63WA public. HM High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor developments relating to the incident in Bijbehara in October.